EPR expertise is the way to an international circular economy

We currently have the opportunity to contribute our expertise in the area of extended producer responsibility (EPR) in various projects outside of Europe. This brings economic opportunities for us as a corporate group. However, we also see the internationalisation of functioning EPR systems as our corporate responsibility.

Over the past 20 years, we have been able to establish processes and structures in Germany and other European countries that have made a well-functioning waste management system possible. Many other countries lack the financial and human resources for this, let alone build up the necessary expertise.

Within our group of companies we have recently been involved in two different consulting projects for the Algerian Ministry of Environment, in which solutions for the recycling of used car tyres and ideas for the implementation of an organisation for the disposal of plastic packaging were developed.

Consultancy cannot be merely theoretical – we want to help implement real and practical solutions

Some may argue that there are more pressing challenges than implementing waste management systems in developing or emerging countries. However, in addition to protecting resources and the environment, we also see this implementation as a strong starting point towards a functioning development aid system.

For our approach is not the mere theoretical development of structures with which the respective governments are then left alone again – as unfortunately many other consulting firms hold. All too often, concepts are written but then not consistently implemented. This is why our approach is unlike that of many other consultancies. We do not leave the mere theoretical development of structures behind for governments to implement. Our approach is to actively engage in dialogue with those responsible in government and to build up the necessary expertise in the respective country, so that local experts can then be trained and a functioning circular economy can actually grow.

A circular economy protects natural resources and creates jobs

Thanks to a circular economy, a completely new branch of the economy is created, which also brings new jobs. And not just for academics, but also for the general population. This, in turn, helps to establish a middle class and narrows the gap between rich and poor.

This is why we consider the internationalisation of EPR schemes to be an important part of our task as a globally active group of companies in this field. We are excited about the projects of the future, in which we will make our contribution to enabling an international circular economy.